Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1887-06-16

1870 to 90 fishing. When about mile
from the fort the outfit was dumped
by q band Of Brule Sioux. The boy was killed
and the girl then about Is years old, was taken
prisoner. A wood party from the fort discov-
cred the remains Of the wagon, which the In
dams had burned, and gave the alarm. Gen.
Reynolds was in command Of the fort and he I'm.
mediately ssarted in pursuit with q troop of cav
airy. l went with him guide. We expected
to come up with the Indians on the Rawhide but
found they lad taken water there and gone right
on. I followed the trail and located them six or
eight miles further up. l rode back and told
Gen. Reynolds that II he would hold the
troops where they were for me to fall back on l
thought could get the girl. He agreed to my
plan, and leaving the soldiers rode on ahead.
When it was dark, worked my way UP until
only little hin was between me and the horse
herds. Then picketed my pony and crept over
into the herd. That is the only direction from
which you can strike an Indian camp with safety.
There Is always more or less travel between the
herd and the camp and you are less apt to be
noticed. l got inside the camp without discov-
cry. Then began Q hunt for the captive's tepee.
You know Indians never take any but women or
children captives. On the tepee Ia which they
are confined is hung the chiefs shield as notif-
cation to the braves that they must keep away.
l found the tepee, after long search, and worked
my way up to the rear edge Then cautiously
raised the side. Not q yard from me was an old
feeding the fire with sticks and bits Of straw On
the other side Of the lodge could see bundle
wrapped in buffalo robes, which knew was Miss
Brand. Laying my Winchester down near the
edge Of the tepee drew my revolver and, taking
it by the barrel. gave the old squaw a blow on
the back of the head that laid her insensible.
Then l jumped across the tent and grabbed up
the girl. As seized her said Keep still little
girl! I'm you're white friend" She was so scared
she tainted. which was perhaps just well.
Taking her under my arm picked up my Win
chester and started for the herds. Just as l came
up with them met an Indian. He cried, Who
goes theref in Sioux. r..I
Il replied in the same language, Guard
He started OF and Invent in the opposite direc-
tion supposed he had gone back to camp but
instead Of that the cuss followed me.
When reached my horse Miss Brand had re-
covered from her faint, and as put her up on the
saddle, she said: rtI-t
"'How shall rider
"'Ride any way replied, until we get out Of
here.'
Just then heard the twang of bow, and an
arrow struck me In the left side just below the
lung, passed clear through my body, and pulled
it out on the other side. turned, with my Win
chester up and the Indian dropped dead. By
this time the squaw had come too and given the
alarm. Iput Miss Brand on the saddle. mounted
behind, and gave the pony the spur.
HE was good runner but there was Just as
good behind, and it was a hot race. 1t was get
ting daybreak, and was growing weaker from
my wound The cir passed in and out with every
breath. The pain got so great that had to get
down at q mud hole and fill the holes up
with mud. Then on we went again. We had
not been able to get back to the troops, for the
Indians were between. So took another route
for the fort. Finally the pain of my wound
nearly blinded me. 1 knew by the signs we wer,
near the fort. said to the girl: Little girl, look
back and see if you can see anything She
looked and said, Yes, there is quite number of
men following u.s. 1 knew they were Indians,
and told her to stop at big log we would reach
presently and I would drop off and hold them
back, while the horse would carry her right into
the fort. But the little girl was clear grit and
said: No. we will die together if we have to de-
short time afterward we met a small party
with an escort under command of Sergt. Colt of
the Second cavalry Seeing them, the Indians
gave up the chase" 1t was through lung troubles
brought on by this arrow wound that Uncl
Jimmy was prevented from going with Custer on
his last ride. The old man is firm in the belief
that If he had been with him Custer would never
have been led into the trap. During the war
Uncle Jimmy served with the Seventh Iowa.
GEORGE PICKERING.